Book Review: The Cormorant by Chuck Wendig

The Cormorant by Chuck Wendig

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Series: Book 3 of Miriam Black

Publisher: Angry Robot

Date of Publication: December 31, 2013

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Mogsy's Rating: 5 of 5 stars - "The best and my favorite Miriam Black book yet"

I just can't resist Miriam Black. Come to think of it, that might be how I start all my reviews for the books in this series. What can I say, though? It's true. These books are so addictive, and I couldn't put off reading The Cormorant any longer, knowing I had the eARC burning a hole in my ereader. I desperately needed my Miriam Black fix.

Our heroine with the freaky ability to foresee people's deaths is back. And she has been busy experimenting with her powers, after finding out the one way to prevent a person from dying is to take the life of another, because Death will not be denied. But then someone is not at all pleased with the way Miriam is messing around with fate...

Miriam is lured to Florida by a rich businessman offering her an obscene amount of money just to find out how he dies. The death vision she sees, however, is of a brutal murder of the man in a year's time, committed by a mystery killer with a bloody message written just for her. Someone clearly has it in for Miriam.  Now everyone she has interacted with is in danger, including her own estranged mother, but how do you fight an enemy who knows your every move and is always two steps ahead?

The sheer awesomeness of this book is going to be hard to convey without getting into spoilers, but know that if you've been following the series all along the plot of this one is going to blow you away. It goes without saying, if you enjoyed Blackbirds and Mockingbird, you will love The Cormorant too because the nature of the character and story is as twisted as always. Furthermore, we get a nice beefing up of Miriam's history, with a further look into her mysterious abilities as well as the appearance of her mother Evelyn Black. Finally, we get to watch the fireworks as the two women meet again for the first time in many years.

And still, Miriam remains the foul-mouthed spitfire I know and love. In her own words, "Rare is the other human who doesn't mind being dragged over the deepening lines of impropriety while talking to Miriam Black." I couldn't have said it better myself. I would never want to be trapped in the same small space with Miriam when she goes off, but boy, she's always a riot to read about. She's a woman with a way with words, but also a bigger heart than she would probably like to admit.

Books that play around with time jumps and framing are also tough to pull off, but Chuck Wendig does it here perfectly, switching to flashbacks and other perspectives at the most appropriate moments, emphasizing the suspense when it is most required. Reading this one was like a roller coaster ride, except there are no dips, only highs and loop-de-loops. Between the outrageous things Miriam says and finding all about the creepy villain in this book, my butt alternated from being perched on the edge of my seat one moment to being laughed off the next. Yeah, let's just put it that way.

The Cormorant is probably the best and my favorite Miriam Black book yet; I absolutely loved it, from beginning to end. Fans need to pick this one up too, and if you haven't read this series yet, what are you waiting for? Miriam is totally awesome; I highly recommend this!

5 of 5 stars

A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes contained above are from the advanced reader edition and are subject to change.

Book Review: Dinocalypse Now by Chuck Wendig

Dinocalypse Now by Chuck Wendig

Genre: Pulp, Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of Dinocalypse Trilogy

Publisher: Evil Hat

Date of Publication: May 2012

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Mogsy's Rating: 3 of 5 stars - "Pure escapist pulp fiction, very entertaining and fun!"

This book went straight onto my to-read pile earlier this year, for two main reasons: first, because I love Chuck Wendig, and second because...well, I figured I couldn't go wrong with any book with a title like Dinocalypse Now!

It wasn't until I was halfway through reading this book that I started to do some research and found out a little more about its background. Crowd-funded through Kickstarter in 2012, Dinocalypse now is based on Evil Hat Productions' Spirit of the Century role-playing game, which is set in a 1920s/30s-era pulp adventure world. With this information in mind, dare I say, this wild ride featuring jetpacks, talking gorillas, psychic dinosaurs, and ancient Atlanteans finally all came together for me!

It begins when a group of heroes calling themselves the Century Club are brought in to prevent the assassination of FDR, only to find that the president isn't the target -- they are! Though, what comes next is actually a threat to the entire planet as King Khan the ape conqueror storms this world through a dimensional portal, leading his vast army of primates and dinosaurs. Now it's up to the Centurions to stop him and save the world! 

I won't lie, I was very much entertained by this book. It is escapist fiction that captures the pure, unadulterated spirit of pulp. Given how characteristics like bigger-than-life heroes, beautiful women, high adventure/action in exotic places, and evil diabolical villains are the hallmarks of this genre, it wouldn't be wrong to say Dinocalypse Now is all about sensationalism over substance, but I still can't deny I had a lot of fun.

Picture a kid with an overactive imagination in a toy store, and the stories he can come up with in his head if he played an elaborate game of make-believe while surrounded by miniature buildings, animal plushies, plastic dinosaurs, action figures and toy weapons. You'll probably get something like this book. Chuck Wendig probably had a blast writing this.

In a sense, it's likely that the sheer absurdity of this book will also be its greatest appeal. I am completely aghast but also delighted by this its craziness and eccentricity. There is a place in my heart for books that are just completely out there and don't take themselves seriously, and while I didn't enjoy this one as much as Chuck Wendig's other novels, this was still a good one to pick up to pass the time.

3 of 5 stars

10...of Mogsy's Favorite Reads this Summer

It's hard to believe we're already past mid-September, how quickly time flies. I hope everyone got some great reading done this summer, because I sure did! This year saw me reading a wide variety of genres, subject matters and authors, and with the last day of the season coming upon us in a few days, here's a look back at some of the top books I read in the last three months. Bring on autumn!

EMPEROR OF THORNS by Mark Lawrence
Read from July 17 to 22, 2013

"All reigns must end..." and I have to say, finding out what will become of Jorg Ancrath in this finale to the Broken Empire trilogy made this one of my most highly anticipated fantasy novels of 2013. I was not disappointed at all. Even though finishing this meant the end of the series and a good bye to Jorg, I actually found myself happy and satisfied with how everything wrapped up. Every story needs an ending, and for me, this one was perfect. 

GENERATION V by M.L. Brennan
Read from July 29 to 31, 2013

Hands down, the best Urban Fantasy I read this summer. If you're thinking this is gonna just be another run-of-the-mill vampire series, you'd be so so SO wrong! M.L. Brennan's take on vampires in this book totally blew my mind, and I love her sense of humor. It's so great to see fresh ideas and bold new directions in this genre, and I've been recommending this book to everyone I know who loves UF.  


HOLLOW WORLD by Michael J. Sullivan
Read from July 31 to August 7, 2013 

I was able to read this one early because I backed it on Kickstarter. Admittedly, reading something by Michael J. Sullivan that isn't related to Riyria felt a little strange...but it was the best kind of strange. I can't wait until this releases so everyone can experience its awesomeness. Without a doubt, the best part is the fact that this is light and enjoyable reading but at the same time will also make you think.

LOVE MINUS EIGHTY by Will McIntosh
Read from August 14 to 17, 2013

This is one very special, simply gorgeous book. It's a sci-fi novel with a futuristic high-tech setting, but at its heart it is also a very human story, about love and that timeless, unshakeable desire to seek a connection to another soul. This one evoked such a strong emotional reaction from me, but hey, books like that are why I love to read!

THE GREYFRIAR by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Read from August 19 to 24, 2013

Steampunk and vampires -- great combo! But that's not the only reason why this stood out. What struck me was the relationship between the two protagonists. The book isn't even a romance, but my heart completely melted for it. For someone like me whose pet peeve is a heroine who falls for guys that treat her like crap, the love and mutual respect here between Adele and Greyfriar is so refreshing.

THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
Read from July 13 to 17, 2013

I went into this with higher-than-high expectations, and ultimately I have to say even those were met and exceeded. Definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, perhaps one of the best book I've read all year. The Thousand Names is just beyond epic, a flintlock fantasy at its finest with great characters that drew me in right away. Revolution and colonialism, military battles and gunpowder, what more could I ask for? 

MAYHEM by Sarah Pinborough
Read from September 3 to 6, 2013

I enjoy a good horror novel now and then, and this summer I read a good number of them. Not only was Mayhem my favorite one, it's probably also a top book for this entire year as well. A historical horror with a paranormal angle, it just pushed all the right buttons for me. I also loved doing research for this when I wrote the review, because I also learned all this fascinating stuff about Jack the Ripper, the Torso Killer, and the Whitechapel Murders.

MOCKINGBIRD by Chuck Wendig
Read from June 11 to 12, 2013

Ah, Miriam Black, I seriously can't get enough of you! The second book of Chuck Wendig's twisted and dark series about a woman with the power to see how and when someone is going to die simply by touching them, and it was just as amazing as the first! It's not every day that a book makes me squirm in this uncomfortable-yet-not-too-entirely-unpleasant kind of way, so that certainly made this one hell of a memorable read.

KINSLAYER by Jay Kristoff
Read from August 30 to September 3, 2013

The highly anticipated sequel in The Lotus War series where the kicker is the steampunk-meets-feudal-Japan setting. This one took my emotions on a roller coaster ride this summer, with crazy revelations and shock after shock, I swear my heart almost gave out in the last hundred pages. Darker, more visceral and violent than book one, I got an Empire Strikes Back vibe off of this, and trust me, that's never a bad thing.

ANGELFALL by Susan Ee
Read from September 9 to 14, 2013

This one squeaked in just before the end of summer, and WOW. It could have easily gotten lost in my big pile of YA-post-apocalyptic-dystopian-paranormal-romance-starring-teenage-girl-protagonist-told-in-first-person books, but color me surprised, this angels-and-end-of-days story was fantastically well written. I understand now why this title has gotten so much attention, and it's an indie too, which makes it even more impressive.

Waiting On Wednesday 9/18/13

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can't wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy's Pick 

The Cormorant by Chuck Wendig: December 31, 2013 (Angry Robot)

December can't get here fast enough! I just can't wait to read this third Miriam Black book, I love that snarky, foul-mouthed, firebrand hellion chick!

"Miriam is on the road again, having transitioned from "thief" to "killer".

Hired by a wealthy businessman, she heads down to Florida to practice the one thing she's good at, but in her vision she sees him die by another's hand and on the wall written in blood is a message just for Miriam. She's expected..."

Book Review: Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig

Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig

I can't get enough of Miriam Black. I just can't. I thought the initial delight of discovering this twisted and refreshingly candid series would have worn off a bit by now, but it hasn't. If anything, I think I'm finally starting to sense of who Miriam is and the direction in which these books are going. Or that might just be wishful thinking. Regardless, I'm still having a blast.

Some time has passed since we last left Miriam and Louis in Blackbirds (book one of the series, my review here). For the sake of their relationship, Miriam has attempted to settle down, living in a double-wide trailer and working as a check-out girl at a local grocery store. No more drifting around the country, and no more utilizing her morbid ability to see and how and when someone is going to die simply by making skin-on-skin contact with them. For Miriam, it means a new life filled with lots of tedium, grin-and-bear-it moments, and constantly wearing gloves.

But a girl can only take so much. Fed up, Miriam packs up and gets ready to hit the road when Louis tells her about Katey, a contact of his who is convinced she is dying and wants to pay Miriam to confirm her suspicions. Eager to be herself again, Miriam readily accepts the job, which is how she finds herself dropped off at a prestigious boarding school for troubled girls where Katey is employed as a teacher. Very soon, Miriam finds herself caught up in much more than she bargained for, when she encounters Lauren, a student at the school whom Miriam's death visions tell her will die brutally at the hands of a crazed serial killer.

With Mockingbird, I think I feel a little more confident in describing the Miriam Black books as less of a traditional Urban Fantasy series, and more of a Thriller-Suspense with paranormal elements. Given the dark nature of Miriam's power, I would throw in a bit of horror, too. There are some intensely graphic and frightening scenes in this book worthy of the goriest slasher flicks, and if you're anything like me, at certain points while reading you'll likely find yourself squirming in your seat in an uncomfortable-yet-not-too-entirely-unpleasant kind of way.

Though, that's sort of what I've come to expect with Chuck Wendig. His writing and stories can make you desperately want to turn the page and be scared to do so at the same time. His characters and dialogue can induce me to laugh my ass off yet at once make me feel like a terrible person. And I love every minute of it. Why do people go and watch scary movies anyway? On a certain level, we do it for the express purpose of being terrified out of our wits. Similarly, that was why I was so eager to pick up this second installment of Miriam Black -- I wanted what I got out of Blackbirds the first time around, to again be shocked, scandalized and enthralled by Wendig's particular brand of dark humor and suspense. I was not disappointed.

Mockingbird also gave us a better look at who Miriam is as a person. I mentioned in my review of the first book that I know deep down beneath that snarky rough exterior she is good person with a good heart, and here I think we see that a little more in her determination to help the schoolgirls and her refusal to simply walk away from the situation. The origins of her mysterious power are still largely unexplained, but we do get a bit of that too. The best part, though, is this book provided a lot of insight into Miriam's past, like her childhood and her relationship with her mother, which gave me a better idea of how she became the way she is.

Overall, a very suspenseful and chilling novel which I could barely put down. As a special treat, I bought the Whispersync Kindle/Audible bundle so I was able to listen to parts of this in audiobook format too. The narrator Emily Beresford is fantastic as Miriam Black, her talent coming through especially when she sings the "Mockingbird" song, the serial killer's rendition of the folk song "Wicked Polly". The song earwormed itself into my head for days, which I have to say made the book even more memorable and creepy.

Final verdict:

4.5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig

Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig

Expected Date of Publication: July 30, 2013.

This was an e-ARC I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I thought it was really fantastic, but honestly, I'm also a little lost as to how to talk about it. To understand, I guess you have to be at least a little familiar with Chuck Wendig and his writing. If you're not, then you're in for a treat...or a shock. Or both.

I only just became a fan of the author myself, having recently read The Blue Blazes (my review here) and Blackbirds (my review here). I liked them a lot, and especially adored the latter. But already, I knew enough to be skeptical when I saw that this was a Young Adult novel. Based on the books I've read by him, let's just say YA is pretty much the last thing to come to mind when I think about Chuck Wendig. Instead, I think "dark, twisted and gritty", "intensely violent", and "slick snappy one-liners often delivered in a terrible ear-shrivelingly foul manner".

I had to wonder, Is he going to be dialing it back for this? My guess was that he would have to, for a YA novel. And if that's the case, how much? Is this still going to read like a book by the Chuck Wendig I know and love? The answer, thankfully, was yes. The story here is definitely all Wendig, but just imagine it tweaked a bit around the edges to make it more appealing to the YA reading audience.

The book begins by introducing us to 17-year-old Cael McAvoy and his life in the Heartland. The Heartland is interesting -- imagine a dystopian Midwest-type setting where a particularly aggressive species of corn has taken over, creating an ocean of corn as far as the eye can see. As the leader of his scavenging team, Cael captains a small airboat over the cornfields day after day, scrounging for valuables and useful materials to sell.

But it's never enough. The Empyrean government oversees life in the Heartland, literally looking down on all of them from above in their luxurious sky flotillas, while people like Cael and his friends and family are struggling to survive. Heartlanders have to deal with poor working conditions, disease, a corrupt mayor and the oppressive government, but Cael has pretty much accepted this as the way things are...until Obligation Day comes and Cael stands to lose the love of his life.

As you can see, this book has all the trappings of a YA novel, with its dystopian world and teen protagonists. It also involves an authoritarian ceremony where the Empyreans pick the Heartlanders mates for them, resulting in uncertainty for the young lovers Cael and his girlfriend Gwennie. The book even hints at a blossoming love triangle.

But while it certainly has the feel of a YA novel, to me it also doesn't. And here's where I struggle to find the words to explain why I feel this way, because on some level I think someone not already familiar with Chuck Wendig or his books will be completely blindsided by this book -- which could be good. To his fans and readers open to different takes on YA fiction, this will definitely be a refreshing change. I've always felt that Chuck Wendig's books have a "presence" about them, and it exists here as well. It's reflected in the dialogue, the characters, and the plot, which retains some of its grittiness and what makes Wendig's books so great. Under the Empyrean Sky might be YA, but I'd still say it's geared more towards "older YA". Speaking of which, Wendig does have a hilarious way with words that makes swearing almost seem like a separate art form -- so while foul language generally doesn't bother me one bit, do beware if it does bother you, especially since some of it is on the vulgar side.

The thing I loved best, though, is the world building. The story in this book takes its time and in my opinion doesn't really start picking up speed until the halfway point, but that's because so much of the first half is dedicated to bringing the Heartland to life and describing the hardships of its people. I love books like this and The Blue Blazes where Chuck Wendig really gets to show off his talent for creating unique and highly detailed settings, because he's so obviously good at coming up with all these awesome ideas. Two words: piss-blizzards -- or the stifling yellow corn pollen wind storms that plague the Heartland, I love it.

Really, my only criticism is that I wish Cael was a little more likeable. It helps, especially in a YA novel. But honestly, I really struggled to be sympathetic to Cael's character, at least in the beginning, since he often came off as immature, bossy and a bit of a jerk even to his friends. He also tended to be driven by his angry impulses and hormones, but then again, as they say, "Boys will be boys". Thankfully, I did start liking Cael (or at the very least, got more used to him) enough that I was staunchly rooting for him and his team by the end of the book. And that's the important thing.

Final Verdict:

5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig 

Oh man, what can I say about Miriam Black? Funny how Chuck Wendig was able to hook me on his Blackbirds female protagonist the way he couldn't with Mookie Pearl in The Blue Blazes, my first book by this author. I may have mentioned my aversion for rough, brutish, brawn-over-brains characters like Mookie in my review of that book, but here I find myself completely taken with Miriam and her snarky, foul-mouthed, firebrand hellion devil-may-care badass ways. This chick had me at, "That's me. My fair fuckin' lady."

Miriam also has a very special ability -- she can foresee the manner in which a person will die and know exactly when, down to the very micro-second. All she needs is any skin-on-skin contact and the visions will trigger, the deaths playing out in her mind in their entirety but lasting only a couple seconds to anyone watching from the outside. She used to care, used to want to save others from their preventable demises, but quickly learned her lesson: What fate wants, fate gets. Now she's a vagrant, hopping from city to city trailing those she knows will soon meet their end, so she can swoop in and rob them at the time of their deaths and no one will be the wiser.

Then one day she meets Louis, the random truck driver who gives her a lift and is the first person in a long time to show her even a hint of kindness. She finds she likes him, but then she shakes his hand and sees his death -- in 30 days, Louis will be brutally murdered. Miriam is shocked; she's seen hundreds of deaths from accidents, suicides, and health problems, but very rarely has she seen murder. And the kicker is, in her vision right before Louis dies, he looks up past his killer and calls Miriam's name...like he sees her there.

It was difficult to put this book down. Obviously, the plot being such a tease was a major draw, but like I said before, I was also very much taken with Miriam. I still don't know why, really; it's not like I can relate to her all that easily since I am nothing like her, but I felt connected to her regardless. She's definitely unique, and it'll be a mistake going into this book expecting her to be just another independent, tough-as-nails paranormal fiction female protagonist. Miriam would probably just beat someone like her up, but only after cussing her out and drinking her under the table.

A lot of the criticisms I've seen directed at this book claim Miriam's character doesn't read like a "real girl", but I have to disagree. Not only do I know women who act just like Miriam, I also think that her rough, trashy badass exterior reflects the kind of life she's had growing up with her disturbing power, making her behavior and personality convincing and refreshingly honest. At the same time, I sense that underneath is someone more perceptive and complex, with a introspective, kind and caring side to her that you just have to dig a little bit beneath the surface to find. Okay, maybe make that dig A LOT beneath the surface, but I still know it's there.

This book also made me start appreciating Chuck Wendig's style a lot more than I had before. His writing, topics, and characters are infused with this attitude which to me is a little reminiscent of the transgressiveness in books one might find by authors like Chuck Palahniuk or Bret Easton Ellis. I also love the paranormal spin to Blackbirds, but I would also hesitate to categorize it as urban fantasy because it throws so many of that genre's conventions out the window; my guess is that a person can be really put off by this book if caught completely unprepared by it.

Sometimes, it does feel like the book is deliberately out to shock you, what with some of its violent and graphic scenes as well as Miriam's potty mouth, but I was strangely cool with it. The subject matter also had a way of making me feel deliciously unsettled, but it at least made this book memorable. I admit I was somewhat initially hesitant about tackling another Chuck Wendig book after enjoying but not being completely blown away by The Blue Blazes, but I definitely liked Blackbirds more than I thought I would.

Final verdict:

  4.5 of 5 stars

Book Review: The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig

The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig

Okay, my first thought after reading this book: Chuck Wendig is awesome! Then, my second thought: Why on earth haven't I heard about or read anything from this author before now? So, my thanks to Angry Robot for rectifying this, by providing me with an e-ARC of The Blue Blazes via NetGalley. The book's expected publication date is May 28, 2013.

So what are the "Blue Blazes" anyway? In the book it's one of the many slang names for a type of drug, a cerulean powder that when rubbed onto your temples will not only give you one hell of a buzz, but it'll also allow you to see through the "glamor" of monsters living amongst the populace. The book is a tale of two Underworlds -- a literal Underworld located beneath the depths of New York City where the Blue Blazes are actually mined, as well as a criminal underworld run by a cabal called the Organization which controls the drug.

Mookie Pearl is our main protagonist, a hulk of a man who used to work down in the mines but is now a loyal member of the Organization. Working for the mob is just a way of life, that is until a big secret about "The Boss" comes to light, leading to a power struggle which shakes up the foundations of all the gangs in the city. And as if that wasn't bad enough, Mookie's estranged daughter also becomes involved. Now, criminals and thugs he can handle. Same goes for the goblins and other dangerous creatures of the Underworld. But Nora Pearl can definitely give Mookie a run for his money.

The book is like your favorite action movie meets paranormal urban fantasy. It seriously doesn't stop. Just when you think things are winding down, you get more. Mookie Pearl is all muscle and brawn, preferring to use his fists over his brains whenever he's in a tight situation. I can't really say he's my type when it comes to fictional characters, but if you enjoy non-stop thrills and lots of brawling action, then he's definitely your man.

I also have to say that I love Chuck Wendig's wit and punchy writing style. Its almost staccato-like rhythm is perfect for the gritty nature of the story, and I was hooked within the first few minutes of reading. When it comes to dealing with points-of-view, however, I felt the book could have done with less jumping around from perspective to perspective. The scene changes seemed to occur very frequently. As with the prose, I feel that this was quite appropriate for the overall tone of the story, but it also made for some confusing moments where I had to figure out where I was. 

Still, the best thing about this book has to be the world-building. Not something I would have expected AT ALL from an action-oriented urban fantasy novel like this, but I do love it when I'm surprised. What Chuck Wendig has created is just simply amazing. Through detailed descriptions, he's painted an original and convincing picture of the secret Underworld below. For example, I loved the addition of "excerpts" from Underworld expert and cartographer John Atticus Oakes' journal at the beginning of every chapter. The plot mostly drove me to keep reading, but admittedly, I was also motivated knowing I would be rewarded with more from Oakes. These little tidbits provided background information, complementing the storytelling by filling in the gaps or going into more detail about the life and lore of the Underworld.

The collection of horrifying creatures the author has created also bears mentioning. From the Gobbos to Snakefaces, each are described in such creative detail. Granted, I would not want to meet any of these in a dark alley at night, but I have to admire the imagination and ingenuity that went into coming up with these monsters and the places in which they live. The paranormal aspects, everything from the pigments and their, er, curious drug effects to the supernatural and magical ways of The Blue Blazes universe are unlike anything I've ever encountered in the genre. 

Bottom line: despite my lack of connection to the main character and some issues I had with the constant scene shifts, these are just personal preferences. I think more important are the book's strengths, such as the world-building which is exceptionally well done, rivaling some of my favorite epic fantasies. I really can't praise this part of the book enough. Truly a surprising treasure trove of fresh and interesting ideas. 

Final verdict:

3.5 of 5 stars